The first days of the community crisis response at park avenue

Thank you Carla Urban for writing today’s Weekly Word.

Dear Park Community,
 

Have you noticed the colorful ceramic sculptures in the triangle garden at the northeast corner of our parking lot? They were installed earlier this summer, and during Sunday Funday we had the privilege of dedicating the sculptures and their memorial sign alongside the artists who created them. 
 

The sculptures are totems: ceramic beads stacked on steel posts, created collaboratively by a local group of ceramic artists in memory of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. One of the artists, Melvin North, who happens to live in our old parsonage just across Oakland Avenue, shared the inspiration behind the project: 
 

“This project was born out of grief and love. When our community lost Renee Good and Alex Pretti, we turned to the one language we know best: clay. Creating these totems became part of our healing, a way of honoring two people whose presence still shapes who we are and how we show up for one another.” 
 

Melvin approached us in March to ask whether the church would consider hosting the sculptures on our property. After conversations about location, maintenance, and long-term care, we were delighted to say yes. Once the totems were installed, we added solar spotlights, funded through the Community Crisis Response Fund, so they could be enjoyed day and night.  A memorial sign, created at the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center, was the finishing touch. 

These beautiful totems serve as both a memorial and a reminder of the ways art helps us process grief, heal from trauma, and strengthen connections within our community. We are grateful to the artists (Bob Arnoldy, Emilie Britton, Mark Lellman, Tamera Long, and Melvin North)  for sharing their meaningful work and honored to provide a home for it. 
 

In Community,

Carla Urban